UPDATE 2: US Coast Guard Receives Distress Call From Tanker Near Galveston

Hurricane Watch:

This is a developing story and an update to an earlier articles.

Coast Guard, Air Force crews slated for freighter rescue forced to land

NEW ORLEANS, Sept 12, 2008 -- Coast Guard and Air Force rescue crews, who were en route to rescue the crew of the Bulk Freighter Antalina were forced to abort the rescue, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008. The rescue crews were forced to land in Lake Charles, La. due to prohibitive heavy weather.

The HU-25 Falcon rescue jet was able to reach the Antalina and observed 20-foot seas, 80-knot winds and visibility as low as a half-mile.

"Unfortunately there were 80-knot winds on scene, well beyond the operating conditions for the air crews to safely rescue the crew of the Antalina. The safety of the rescue crews and the crew of the Antalina are of the utmost importance to us. The Coast Guard will continue to maintain contact with the crew of the Antalina and monitor their situation very closely," said Rear Adm. Joel R. Whitehead, commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.

(From a U.S. Coast Guard news release.)

An earlier article follows:

U.S. Air Force assists with freighter rescue

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla., Sept 12, 2008 -- Airmen of the 1st Special Operations Wing here launched two CV-22 Ospreys, an MC-130P Combat Shadow and an MH-53 Pave Low helicopter Sept. 12 to prepare for a possible rescue of 22 people aboard the Cyprus-flagged freighter Antalina adrift in the Gulf of Mexico south of Louisiana caught in Hurricane Ike.

An MC-130W Combat Spear from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M, but currently on station at Hurlburt Field, was also launched in the effort.

Four pararescue teams from Air Force Special Operations Command's 720th Special Tactics Group, were on board the aircraft along with two inflatable Zodiac boats.

The Air Force Special Operations Command teams and aircraft will be assisting the Coast Guard in the rescue attempts.

(From a U.S. Air Force news release.)

An earlier article follows:

HOUSTON, Sept. 12, 2008 -- The Coast Guard received a call around 4 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008, from the motor vessel Antalina, a 584-foot freighter with 22 people aboard and carrying Petroleum Coke, reporting that they had lost main propulsion 90-miles southeast of Galveston and are drifting southwest away from the coast.

The Antalina , a Cypress flagged vessel, is currently unable to steer or make way and is directly in the path of Hurricane Ike. The Coast Guard is in hourly contact with the crew and they report to be in good condition.

The Coast Guard's response options are being monitored from both the Incident Command Post in Katy and the District Eight Command Center in New Orleans. The Coast Guard's response capabilities are extremely limited due to the location of its helicopters, which have been pre-staged for post-hurricane response, and the proximity of the Antalina to Hurricane Ike.

The Antalina departed Port Arthur, Texas to seek a safe haven away from Hurricane Ike when the vessel lost propulsion. The Coast Guard has stressed the importance of seeking safe-harbor well in advance of the storm since Port Condition Whiskey was set. The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

Port Condition Whiskey is set when gale force winds are predicted to arrive within 72 hours.

(From a U.S. Coast Guard news release.)

Tags: DOD, Military, United States, U.S., On the Home Front, Open Thread, Hurricane Watch, Coast Guard
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Buzz, Tension